DD Journal_2019 by Mingjie Zhang

DIGITAL DESIGN - PORTFOLIO Semester 1, 2018 Mingjie Zhang 910787

Joel Collins, Studio 21

email: jack1998cs@gmail.com

Content: 03

Education: M1

M2-1

M2-2

Precedent Study - Radix Pavilion

Surface and Waffles

Reflection:

2017 - current

Bachelor of Design

University of Melbourne

2011 - 2016

Camberwell Grammar School

Work Experience: 2014

Lyons Architects

Work experience week

Solids and Voids

Awards / Exhibition: 14

Nautilus Pavilion

2017

FOD:R Exhibition, AFLK Gallery

Studio Alpha: MSD X Exhibition

Skills: Rhino Grasshopper Unreal Photoshop Illustrator Indesign

This semester in Digital Design has been incredibly challenging, so I would like to thank our studio leader, Joel Collins for giving me great design insights and technical aids, which are both instrumental in helping me achieve an adequate level in this subject.

I used to view design as kind of a self indulgent practise that reflects one’s preferences and their views of aesthetics. While that still holds true to an extent, I have been more frequently putting myself into the design and try to see it in an objective stance; nothing hinders a design more than the narcissistic appreciation of one’s own work, and the belief that it couldn’t be improved in any ways. I have learned a variety of new software and fabrication techniques this semester: Grasshopper, Unreal Engine, combining lasercut with 3D printing are all very exciting and challenging tasks, but in the end they yield satisfactory results. It is fascinating to see the constant evolving of design process; I am grateful for the opportunities of learning new methods of design approaches and formulating solutions to problems that are overwhelming for traditional means.

Fabrication add more ++

There isn’t an end to design - nor is there an end to one’s skill development and appetite for learning. I have learned many new skills this semester but also neglected many that I considered too hard or time consuming. I do hope that I never lose interest down the path of design; that I continue to be hungry and foolish, and practice design on the basis of the betterment of self and others.

MODULE 1

PRECEDENT STUDY - RADIX PAVILION

RADIX Pavilion by Aires Mateus The Radix Pavilion was opend in Venice in 2012, appearing as an elegant response to the context of the site. Through the use of modern materials and form-making techniques, the architects were able to connect back to the traditional arched space and form an integration with the surrounding environment. The large cantilever towards the lagoon forms a moment of transition between the land and the water. Travellers from gondolas could take a break in the shade, while light reflecting off from water surface projects a cosmo of ebbing and weaving motion onto the interior pavilion surface, creating a mesmerising internal space.

The overall form of the pavilion is created by booleaning two spheres and one elipsoids onto a rectangular prism. This in turn creates a highly dynamic interior space with constantly changing ceiling height, while also creating spontaneous circulation paths and thresholds.

CIRCULATION

THRESHOLD

MODULE 2-1 SURFACE AND WAFFLE 6

The waffle and panels are mirrored from the centre in both X and Y axis, creating a symmetrical composition. The bottom and top vertices intersect while the side vertices are repelled from one another. This alludes to the idea of convergence and divergence being employed in the form creation of architecture.

Panel modules at the end vertices start splitting from one pyramid to two, further reinforcing the concept of growth from the centre.

Panel modules are selectively matched with pyramids of varying heights. Combined with an attractor point and curve, this creates a sense of growth starting from the centre. The two bottom panel modules on either sides of the waffle are stretched to form a four point stand, intended to stablise the structure according to the orientation shown here.

Exploded Isometric 1:2 0

80mm

Lofts

1.1

1.2

1.3

Key

1.4

{0,0,0} {150,150,135}

{0,0,150}

{75,0,150}

{150,0,75}

{150,150,90}

{0,150,30}

Attractor / Control Points (X,Y,Z) Attractor / Control Curves

{150,150,0}

{0,0,150}

{0,0,0}

Grid Points

{150,0,75} {150,0,90} {0,150,75}

{0,150,0}

Grid Layout

2.1

{0,0,0}

{150,0,0}

2.2

{150,150,150}

2.3

{0,0,150}

2.4

{0,0,0} {75,75,130}

{0,0,0}

{180,10,78}

{0,0,0}

Paneling

{Null}

{Attractor Point}

{Attractor Curve}

{Genepool Pattern + Attractor Pt & Crv}

3.1

3.2

3.3

3.4

Panel modules at the end vertices start splitting from one pyramid to two, further reinforcing the concept of growth from the centre.

GRASSHOPPER WORKFLOW CHART Utilising both attractor points and curves to influence grid.

Forming 150x150x150 cube

Controlling location of verteces of panel along edge of the cube.

Using distance to attractor point to remap the offset grid.

Using genepool to select patterns and arrange different BREPs according to the pattern

From left to right

Surface panels Waffle structure bonding with surface Waffle structure with contextual scale

MODULE 2-2 SOLIDS AND VOIDS

Grid Mapping

Centroid Distribution

Boolean Intersection 3.1

2.1

1.1

Isometric 1:2 0

80mm

{243,192,212}

{3x3}

{3 Attractor Points}

3.2

2.2

1.2

The boolean objects are more dense towards one end of the cube. As a result, a transition of porosity is depicted in this object - the more solid end transits to the more permeable end as polyhedrons are subtracted from the cube.

A selection of 4-side pyramids have their top ends meeting at the same point. This creates a scene of divergence/convergence, and the intersection of prisms create a space resembling rocky chasms. This alludes to the concept of light permeating through a small opening to reach a wider space below.

{243,192,212}

{Increasing Density: 5x5}

{4 Attractor Points}

1.3

2.3

3.3

{243,192,212}

{4 Attractor Points}

{Altering Geometry}

3.4

2.4

1.4

{243,192,212}

The boolean objects used here are icosahedrons, a polyhedron with 20 identical triangular faces. They create an interesting dynamic in the space within the cube when they are intersected. While they create perfectly planar surfaces, they also embody a more raw form of curvature, creating imaginary vaults, pillars and perhaps oculus to an extent. {4 Attractor Points}

{Combining Geometry}

Key {0,0,0}

Attractor / Control Points (X,Y,Z) Attractor / Control Curves Grid Points

A selection of 50x50x50mm cubes created by the booleaning process. Different sets of scales are used across which imbues them with different spatial qualities and purposes.

MODULE 3

NAUTILUS PAVILION

The outer dome’s shell emphasises levels of permeability, both in the sense of light and acoustics. Its metallic surface allows dynamic reflection of the environment as well as lighting, giving it more transparency during the day and more solidity during night time. The ‘elastic’ screen used on the outer dome provides a varying degree of transparency depending on the viewer’s position - movement

The twisting louvre used on the inner dome grants visibility rom one angle but not the other, thus creating an interesting dynamic between the in and the out.

The bench is created using profile and sectioning techniques. It maintains the transparent nature of the pavilion while providing seating options for the users.

Exploded Isometric 1:25 0

500

1500mm

KEY Circulation Pathways The higher wall allows users to lean on and still be able to see the inner pavilion. A lower step allows users to traverse the outer ring as pathways or use them as seatings.

SURFACE FORMATION

DIVIDE SURFACE INTO SEGMENTS

CREATING SECTIONS

ALIGNING SECTIONS TO RAIL

SWEEP 1 TO CREATE GEOMETRY

REMAP START & END LINE

USE GRAPH TO CONTROL OPENING

DIVIDE INTO INDIVIDUAL PANELS

LOFT FOR SURFACE

LASERCUT USING NUMBERING SYSTEM

Lineworks

Surface and pattern iterations

Photography

Fabrication process

1 2 3

1. View of the fin structure from inside 2. Approaching pavilion from main entrance 3. Viewing into the external louvre

Selected model photography.

360 Image of pavilion.